Skuggsjá translates into ‘mirror’ or ‘reflection’ in the Norse language, and the piece not only contextualizes harder music’s role in the democracy in Norway in 2014, but also joins threads from the country’s ancient musical history and solidifies harder music’s position as Norway's most important cultural export.
By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, Skuggsjá tells the history of Norway and reflect relevant aspects from the past into the present day. In light of this we reflect on ourselves as a people and nation. In a magnificent tapestry of metal instrumentation, a wide variety of Norway´s and Scandinavia’s oldest instruments, and poetry in Norse and Norwegian, Skuggsjá is a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.
Vitkispá
Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
helgar kindir,
meiri ok minni
mögu Heimdallar
viltu at ek, Valföðr,
vel fyr telja
forn spjöll fira,
þau er fremst of man
Þá gengu regin öll
á rökstóla,
ginnheilög goð,
ok um þat gættusk
Sól tér sortna,
sígr fold í mar,
hverfa af himni
heiðar stjörnur
geisar eimi
ok aldrnari,
leikr hár hiti
við himin sjalfan
Þá gengu regin
öll á rökstóla,
ginnheilög goð,
ok um þat gættusk
Geyr nú Garmr mjök
fyr Gnipahelli,
festr mun slitna,
en freki renna
fjölð veit ek fræða,
fram sé ek lengra
um ragna rök
römm sigtíva
Bræðr munu berjask
ok at bönum verðask,
munu systrungar
sifjum spilla
Skelfr Yggdrasils
askr standandi,
ymr it aldna tré,
en jötunn losnar
Sér hon upp koma
öðru sinni
jörð ór ægi
iðjagræna
falla forsar,
flýgr örn yfir,
sá er á fjalli
fiska veiðir
Sal sér hon standa
sólu fegra,
gulli þakðan
á Gimléi
þar skulu dyggvar
dróttir byggja
ok um aldrdaga
ynðis njóta
The lyrics to Ivar Bjørnson's song "Vitkispá" are in Old Norse, and they describe a mythical narrative from Norse mythology. The song begins with the singer, who appears to be addressing the god Heimdall, asking to be taught ancient tales. They express their desire to learn and share the stories of old, wanting to recount them accurately.
The next lines depict the arrival of all the gods, sitting on judgment seats or high thrones. These gods are described as sacred and divine, and they are vigilant in their observations.
The song then transitions to a vision of the apocalyptic events of Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse mythology. The sun darkens, the earth sinks into the sea, and stars vanish from the sky. Flames and smoke rise, and there is a great blaze between heaven and earth. Once again, all the gods are present, watching and guarding over these cataclysmic events.
The lyrics continue with references to Garmr, a monstrous wolf, and the breaking of chains and release of a giant, possibly referring to Fenrir. The singer mentions possessing knowledge about the future and prophecies of Ragnarök, suggesting foresight and understanding of the gods' destiny.
The final lines describe the world rejuvenated after Ragnarök. The land rises from the sea, waterfalls flow, and an eagle flies over the mountains, hunting for fish. The singer sees a beautiful hall called Gimlé, adorned with gold, where loyal beings will live in eternal delight.
Overall, "Vitkispá" depicts a combination of ancient tales, the judgment of the gods, the events of Ragnarök, and the rebirth of the world into a paradise.
Line by Line Meaning
Hljóðs bið ek allar
I seek the attention of all sacred beings
helgar kindir
holy races
meiri ok minni
greater and lesser
mögu Heimdallar
Heimdallr's descendants
viltu at ek, Valföðr,
do you want me, All-Father
vel fyr telja
to recount well
forn spjöll fira
the ancient tales of men
þau er fremst of man
the ones held in high regard
Þá gengu regin öll
Then all the gods went
á rökstóla
to the seat of judgment
ginnheilög goð
the sacred divine gods
ok um þat gættusk
and discussed that
Sól tér sortna
The sun turns black
sígr fold í mar
the earth sinks into the sea
hverfa af himni
the stars vanish from the sky
heiðar stjörnur
bright shining stars
geisar eimi
flare with fire
ok aldrnari
and ever-burning
leikr hár hiti
blaze with intense heat
við himin sjalfan
against the very sky
Þá gengu regin
Then all the gods went
öll á rökstóla
to the seat of judgment
ginnheilög goð
the sacred divine gods
ok um þat gættusk
and discussed that
Geyr nú Garmr mjök
Now Garmr howls greatly
fyr Gnipahelli
before Gnipahellir
festr mun slitna
the chain will break
en freki renna
and the wolf will run
fjölð veit ek fræða
I know many prophecies
fram sé ek lengra
I foresee further
um ragna rök
about the destiny of the gods
römm sigtíva
the mighty divine powers
Bræðr munu berjask
Brothers will fight
ok at bönum verðask
and become enemies
munu systrungar
sisters' offspring will
sifjum spilla
break the bonds of kinship
Skelfr Yggdrasils
Yggdrasil trembles
askr standandi
the tree standing
ymr it aldna tré
the ancient tree groans
en jötunn losnar
and the giant is set free
Sér hon upp koma
She sees rising up
öðru sinni
once again
jörð ór ægi
earth from the sky
iðjagræna
green with fertility
falla forsar
waterfalls fall
flýgr örn yfir
an eagle flies above
sá er á fjalli
one who on the mountain
fiska veiðir
hunts fish
Sal sér hon standa
She sees a hall standing
sólu fegra
more beautiful than the sun
gulli þakðan
covered in gold
á Gimléi
in Gimlé
þar skulu dyggvar
there the loyal ones shall
dróttir byggja
dwell
ok um aldrdaga
and for eternal days
ynðis njóta
enjoy bliss
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Einar Selvik, Ivar Peersen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind